D.C. Petco to Shut Down as Shoplifting Epidemic Threatens Retail Safety
A shopping center in Washington, D.C., that once symbolized the city’s revitalization will lose another tenant next month due to ongoing theft problems. Petco has confirmed it will close its store at the DC USA mall on January 12, citing a review of its real estate portfolio. Although the company did not mention theft in its official statement, a local employee pointed to shoplifting as a key factor in the store’s declining viability.
The employee, who moved to the U.S. from Turkey less than a year ago, shared that shoplifters regularly steal bags and cans of pet food. Despite managers’ attempts to stop the thieves, they are often unsuccessful. The employee, who had heard about crime in American cities before moving, admitted the situation was worse than anticipated.
Petco opened at the DC USA mall in 2013 as part of the Columbia Heights area’s “revitalization efforts.” The store’s closure will be the second major retail exit from the neighborhood within a year due to theft. A CVS Pharmacy across the street closed in February after frequent thefts left the store’s shelves nearly empty, making national headlines.
Although the thefts at Petco are not as severe as those at CVS, a city-contracted security guard outside the store reported that thieves are bold. According to the guard, the same group of young individuals repeatedly steals from Petco and nearby DSW because they have nothing else to do. The guard, who is only required to report theft and is not authorized to stop shoplifters, criticized DSW for allowing known thieves back into the store.
A study by the Loss Prevention Research Council and retail security firm Verkada highlights the rising concerns among retail workers about safety. Forty percent of employees surveyed said they would quit their jobs in the next year due to personal safety issues. The majority of this fear stems from witnessing theft (60%), and many workers also reported experiencing or witnessing verbal harassment (51%) or threats (54%) from customers.
Read Hayes, executive director of the Loss Prevention Research Council, emphasized that retail workers are worried about escalating hostility from criminals. While theft is currently the primary concern, workers are fearful that criminals may become more aggressive in the future. The study also revealed that more than half of retail workers in urban areas (52%) and 40% in suburban areas have experienced some form of workplace violence, with grocery stores and big-box retailers, like Target and Walmart, being the most common sites for these incidents.
The study found that 67% of workers who experienced violence are now considering leaving their jobs. Women in retail, in particular, expressed greater concern for their safety, with 31% reporting feeling unsafe at work, compared to 24% of men. Many workers are also witnessing theft, with 65% of women and 56% of men reporting such incidents.
The research suggests that retailers may need to implement significant changes in how they address theft and protect employees. Hayes proposed using technology such as cellphone numbers or facial recognition as digital keys to secure merchandise, allowing customers to access products without requiring assistance from employees.
